Hamels’ no hitter, his first individual and the 13th in Phillies history, was a mesmerizing performance that featured the veteran left-hander hitting 96 mph with his fastball — multiple times — for the first time this season to accompany a changeup and curveball that kept the Cubs’ hitters guessing the entire game.

It led to 13 strikeouts and reminded the Cubs and any other interested contending teams that he is the real deal, in case anyone forgot.

“Well, I’d be surprised if [general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.’s] phone isn’t [ringing] off the hook right now as we speak,” interim manager Pete Mackanin said.

Coming off the worst back-to-back starts of his 10-year career, Hamels needed a good outing to alleviate the perception he’s no longer a frontline starter ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.

In his last two starts, Hamels allowed a combined 14 runs and 20 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Against the Cubs, Hamels was masterful.

Even Cubs manager Joe Maddon was impressed by Hamels and called his changeup outstanding.

“He definitely increased his value,” Maddon said. “You get that higher tier prospect because of that performance.”

The Cubs are one of the teams that would be a good fit for Hamels, whose partial no-trade clause allows him to veto trades to 20 teams.

Just as Hamels’ last two terrible starts didn’t negatively affect his trade value dramatically, neither should his no hitter.

His track record during his 10-year career has proven he is an ace and can deliver in the postseason, a resume that includes World Series MVP honors in 2008.

There is some irony in Hamels’ perfect game coming at Wrigley Field against a Cubs team that has been linked to the veteran ahead of the trade deadline. Hamels said he grew up watching the Cubs plan on WGN and believes it’s a fun place to play.

However, Hamels struggled to say whether he could see himself pitching at Wrigley Field wearing the Cubbie blue.

“I mean, that’s kind of tough to really answer because right now I’m wearing the Phillies red and that’s where I’ve planned to play,” Hamels said. “So I think that’s kind of all I can really do. It’s out of my control. I try to wake up every day and drive to Citizens Bank Park and play with the big P on my chest. That’s kind of what I’ve done since the moment I got drafted by them, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do until somebody says no.”

Carlos Ruiz said it definitely crossed his mind that Saturday might have been the last time he was behind the plate for a Hamels start.

“That’s something that’s out of our control,” Ruiz said. “Everything is from the front office and we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we can keep him and finish strong.”

Hamels’ goal in the next week is to not let his no-hitter take away his focus from staying on track.

He doesn’t want to get carried away knowing he has another start in five days, likely on Thursday, the day before the deadline.

Hamels said he expects to be in Philadelphia next week as Friday’s trade deadline inches closer.

The Phillies should be able to find a good package of prospects from a contending team for Hamels as long as they don’t overestimate what they can get for him.

That’s the biggest obstacle facing the Phillies. Everyone knows what Hamels is capable of doing when he’s on the mound.

Saturday’s performance was just the height of what he can accomplish and when’s his pitches are crisp he’s, well, unhittable.

Just as was the case after his last two starts, Hamels isn’t worrying about what his no hitter did for his trade value.

“I have no clue,” Hamels said. “That’s up to you guys to write about.”

Contact Meghan Montemurro at mmontemurro@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @M_Montemurro.